There was much talk among Richmond County school board members Tuesday night about calming what Superintendent Dana Bedden has called a "perfect storm" of financial circumstances.

Board members are still wrestling with how best to offset a $13.4 million budget shortfall, the result of declining enrollment, class size reductions and another round of state budget cuts.

The only headway in Tuesday's committee meetings was a preliminary approval to sell the board's vacant properties. Dr. Bedden's budget proposal assumes the board will sell at least $1.5 million in property.

The action, which must be approved by the full board Thursday, authorizes board attorney Pete Fletcher to begin working with interested buyers. The gross appraised value of the properties tops $2 million, but many of them have environmental concerns, such as asbestos.

The highest valued property is the old cinema at Regency Mall, which in 2007 was appraised at $500,000. In 2002, The Chronicle reported that the property was donated to the school board.

While the property issue moved closer to resolution, board members remained at odds on other fiscal matters, the most heated of which is a proposed increase in their travel budget.

The proposal would bump up that portion of the budget from $19,800 to $30,000, but Finance Committee Chairman Frank Dolan said the board should lead by example and nix the increase.

"I think when we're asking everyone else here to take cuts, we should be the leaders and take deep cuts as well," Mr. Dolan said.

The proposed budget includes several cuts. One of the largest and more controversial ones reduces the local supplement paid to certified employees by $750, a reduction Dr. Bedden said could affect Richmond County's ability to be competitive in recruiting teachers and other staff members.

Mr. Dolan's proposal was met with both support and criticism.

"If we're going to do the people's business, let's do it right," board member Marion Barnes said. "Let's not try to fool folks in saying, 'Well, we're going to cut back because everyone else is cutting back,' when what we're cutting back won't even buy a Coca-Cola for some folks ... I don't think we need to play politics with the community."

Board President Jimmy Atkins also brought up the idea of consolidating schools.

The board has begun a two-year process to determine how best to use its facilities, some of which are likely to close. Mr. Atkins, however, asked whether anything can be done sooner to avoid making some of the proposed cuts.

He announced that he would not support the budget as long as it lowers the local supplement for teachers. Teachers and other employees will still get a pay raise next year because the state approved a 2.5 percent increase, although the raise won't be as much if the local cuts are passed.

The board is expected to tentatively adopt a budget this week. It will hold a special called meeting at 4:30 p.m. Thursday to continue budget talks.